God for HARRY, England and St. George!

So there is a huge amount of fluff on the net about Stephen King's review of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". I am now compelled to add to this. Mr. King allegedly slams J.K. Rowling for overuse of adverbs, e.g.

"Oh, no," said Hermione, stopping abruptly. "Turn back, turn back, I don't want to talk to Moaning Myrtle -"

I haven't read the piece (not being able to afford the subscription to Entertainment Weekly) but it's here.

To his credit, Mr, King reportedly suggested that this habit is 'endearing'. Or maybe he said 'essential' - I can't confirm because I haven't read the review. He might even have added that Ms. Rowling is the biggest selling author in the world because of her facility with tastefully placed adverbs. Not certain about that either.

Anyway, a tip of the titfer to Harry Potter books. Must get round to reading them.


Tags: adverb

Adverbs Vanishing QUICK

If you haven't read this great piece by Dr. Terence Parr, then you will probably find it entertaining.
Or, alternatively, you may break down and weep as Terence resorts to what in 1998 might have been parody, but today sounds like the Wall Street Journal's best editorial prose.
Is it just me, or can you hear the sound of fingernails screeching down a chalkboard?

Steve

Tags: adverb

Adverbs, the BOOK

I'm not at all sure why I'm writing this, because as far as I know, no-one reads this blog except me. I haven't seen any traffic stats, so I think it is *all* me. By Steve, for Steve. Anyway, just in case I forget, I wanted to remind myself that there is a new book coming out in May called "Adverbs". This is by Daniel Handler, a grown-up author, who has created a set of short stories, each one titled using ...wait for it... an adverb. Such as "Naturally" or "Particularly".

I am excited - he's putting adverbs onto the top of the literary pile. The publicity will be vast. Maybe he alone can stop the tide of adverbial carnage. Or not. Wait for a review of the book, which I shall undoubtedly read diligently. And avidly. And thoroughly.

Tags: adverb

The Last BASTION (Part II)

It's not just unsuspecting guests who do it on NPR..

"You say you're going to change your strategy. What are you going to do different?"

- Presenter Steve Inskeep speaking with the UN Envoy to Sudan, Jan Pronk.

You can actually listen to this travesty online, but trust me - my name's Steve.

Tags: adverb

The Last BASTION (Part I)

Heard on NPR today...

"DHA enables nerve cells to operate more intense"

That certainly gets my nerve cells operating!


Tags: adverb

Driving Me To TEARS

Driving seems one of the worst offenders of adverbicide.

Here's a line from a Texas online traffic school:

"But driving drowsy can be just as deadly as driving drunk"

That's bad! Must avoid driving ragey.


Tags: adverb

"Killing the BABIES"

Someone showed me this wonderful piece from Sandra McGarrity. The black armband. The Sunday driver on Friday afternoon. I wiped away a tear. Although I am just an observer here. This is a classic.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/freelance_writing/death_of_an_adverb.htm

Tags: adverb

Flight 1703

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to tell you that we got you here 6 minutes early. American thanks you for your business. Please drive safe"

After flying us safe for over 3 hours, the Captain of AA1703 made my day with this PA. So I drove safe all the way to the Porridge residence. And I was safe in my car. So did he crash another plane or not? I think it was murder...

Tags: adverb

Eat Healthy, Eat RIGHT

Health nuts are the first to cut red meat, cookies and fat from their lives, so why not adverbs? Makes total sense to me. No need to carry the extra weight.

I heard about the National Body Challenge on the TV - telling me that it was time that I started to eat right.

http://health.discovery.com/convergence/bodychallenge2006/opener.html

They're right about that!


Tags: adverb